THEATRE ROYAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10653, 14 May 1895, Page 6

THEATRE ROYAL.

. TAMBOUR MAJOR. Never has Offenbach’s bright and sparkling opera La Fille c hi Tambour Major been represented on tha Christchurch stage in more lively and effective style than it was last night by Pollard’s Juveniles at the Theatre Royal. The young people entered into tha spirit of the work with the utmost heartiness, and acted, sang and danced with a vivacity and abandon which made tha performance go briskly and brightly from the opening scene in tha convent garden at Biella to the entry of the French troops in Milan at the close. Much of the success of the psrformanca was due to the vivacious acting and singing of Miss Marion HUchell as Stella. She gained encores for her songs, “Forbidden Fruit” and “I’m a Little Jehu.” Miss Sissy Sandford was a fascinating Griolet, and used her sweet and flexible voice eo artistically and effectively in the songs “Cold as the Snow” and “A Jewelled Throne ” that the audience very properly encored them. Miss Maud Beatty’s really capital acting was the chief feature of her impersonation of the dashing Capitaina Eobsrt, but she also sang spiritedly and well. Miss Emily Metcalfe gave a capable interpretation of the difficult part of the Duchess Della Volta • her dramatic and tasteful singing of “ Oh, What a Strange Feeling,” gained a well-deserved encore; and her singing and acting in tha scene with Monthabor in tha third act were decidedly good. Miss Nellie Wilson, who received tha compliment of a bouquet, was an appropriately vivacious and pert vivandicrc, and sang her song “ One, two,” with much spirit. The Moathabor of Master Percy was a really powerful performance, marked by both tragic and comic force. He was especially good in the duet with the Duchess in the last act. Master Alf Stephans was very amusing as tno senile Duke Della Volta; and Master Harry Quealy, though he somewhat overdid the part, entered thoroughly into the fun of the character of tha coxcomb Marquis Bambini. The minor roles were capably sustained. Great credit is due to the chorus and orchestra, who, under Mr Harrison’s careful direction, acquitted themselves capitally. Mr Vennermark’s scenery was exceedingly pretty, and the dresses were brilliant; hence the spectacular effects, particularly the final entry of the troops with band and banner, were

highly effective. It is almost needless to say that the results of Mr Tom Pollard’s able stage management were very apparent throughout the performance. To-night Lcs Cloches de Corneville will be produced.